Picking out a Tie

Choosing a tie is one of the most important aspects of putting together the perfect outfit to impress when you head out for a fun night on the town, or for that important meeting at the office. The tie is the focal point. It is the male talking piece. Men compliment each other on the quality and make of their suits, while women compliment men on their choice of tie. How it matches and the shape and size all need to be taken into consideration when looking for the perfect tie to really put the capstone on an outfit. It is important that you pay close attention when picking out ties at the store rather than just relying on ties you get from family and friends for Christmas!

Size and Shape

When it comes to men’s fashion, there is nothing more unprofessional and sloppy looking than a man wearing the wrong size tie. The size and shape of your tie are the basic foundation on which the quality of the tie rests. Before we dive into any of the more frilly aspects of what colors and patterns to look for when selecting a tie, we need to cover the basics. The standard length and width for gentlemen’s ties are 57 inches long by 3.5 inches wide. This will give you your standard heading into the office look which will convey a professional, yet stylish look.

If you are heading out for a dinner party, a night on the town, or a date with a special someone, it can pay to consider a skinnier tie width in order to send a different message. The truly skinny tie with a width of one to one and a half inches should be chosen with care. This tie will only work with a certain crowd. It can either send out a very hip vibe, or it can look downright silly if worn in the wrong environment. A classier choice is to choose somewhere in the middle. A tie with a width just above two inches will show that you possess an understated class. You understand the tents of style, you know that you look good, but you don’t need to do so in a way that tries to convince everyone. This type of tie, especially when combined with a darker color and the right suit can be a truly noteworthy outfit that others will take notice of.

Fabric

The fabric of a tie is an extremely important aspect, especially if you are out in a social environment and looking to meet women. Having the right fabric on a tie can lead from a “what a great tie!” statement to a bit of closer contact as they come in for a closer inspection. The standard fabrics are cotton, wool, cashmere, and silk. Each of these has a different set of circumstances in which it is the best choice. If you are in a fancier setting the silk tie is the obvious choice, but if you are out at a hip bar with some friends in winter, a wool tie sends the message that you have a dynamic fashion sense. Choose your fabric wisely to add another layer to the experience that comes with wearing the right tie.

Pairing

Ties are the piece of a suit that really bring everything together. The right tie can take an average ensemble to an extraordinary outfit just like that. This is why it is of the utmost importance that you keep in mind what the rest of the outfit looks like when you are selecting a tie. Unfortunately, this does meant that you will need at least a dozen ties in your collection. When buying new ties think to yourself, “what colors can I wear this with?”, “how will this pattern play with the rest of my outfit?”, “will this tie clip match my watch and my shoes?”. These sorts of questions will allow you to make sure that you are making good decisions when it comes to the combined style of the final product. This is what differentiates those with a great fashion sense from guys who look like they stepped straight from the office to the bar.

Choosing the right tie can escalate your style to new heights. Knowing how to choose the right tie is the first step in the right direction. One of the best ways to refine your style is practice, so take the time to try on many different styles and colors in order to find the ones that work best for you individually. Follow these guidelines and you will be well on your way to being considered one of the most fashionable men in your social circle. You’ll be surprised how just a little bit of time devoted to a small piece of fabric will pay off in your social and professional life.

The Elucid Gent is the savvy and fashion conscious male in the modern day. The trend setter. The man who leads by example. This site aims to pay homage to the omega male and hopefully a bit of his charm and charisma rubs off on us.